The University of Eswatini (UNESWA) has rolled out an expanded campus safety programme aimed at addressing gender-based violence and strengthening protection for students and staff across its campuses. The move comes amid growing national concern over safety in higher learning institutions and renewed calls for coordinated action to protect young people.
The initiative was highlighted during the One Billion Rising Festival held at the university’s Kwaluseni campus, where students, civil society organisations, development partners and government representatives gathered to reaffirm their commitment to ending gender-based violence. University leadership described the campaign as part of a broader institutional responsibility to promote dignity, equality and human rights within academic spaces.
UNESWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Justice Thwala emphasised that universities must play an active role in shaping social values, noting that education extends beyond classrooms. He said empowering young people with knowledge about respect, consent and accountability is critical to building safer communities, both on campus and beyond.
As part of the strategy, the university is strengthening physical security infrastructure, including improved lighting, controlled access points and enhanced campus patrols. These measures are being supported by awareness programmes, student engagement initiatives and partnerships with advocacy organisations focused on prevention and survivor support.
Organisers of the festival noted that institutions of higher learning mirror the societies they serve, making them key spaces for driving long-term behavioural and cultural change. They stressed that addressing gender-based violence requires not only enforcement and security, but also education, dialogue and community involvement.
The initiative aligns with national and regional efforts to combat gender-based violence in Eswatini, where studies continue to highlight the vulnerability of young people, particularly women and girls. Representatives from international organisations, including development agencies and diplomatic missions, acknowledged the university’s efforts and called for sustained collaboration across sectors.
University officials said the programme will be monitored and expanded over time, with a focus on prevention, early response and survivor-centred support systems. They added that meaningful progress depends on shared responsibility among institutions, communities and individuals working together to create safer environments.
As Eswatini continues to confront the challenge of gender-based violence, UNESWA’s approach signals a growing recognition that universities can serve as catalysts for change, setting standards for safety, accountability and respect within society.